Yemen`s Houthis deny drone attack on RCC delegates in Hodeida

Sanaa (Debriefer)

2019-01-14 | Since 1 Week

Spokesperson and information minister of the Houthi group (Ansar Allah) government, Dhaifallah al-Shami, denied on Sunday accusations by the Minister of Information in the Yemen`s internationally recognized government, Moammar al-Eryani, the attempt by the Houthi forces targeting legitimate representatives in the RCC in Hodeida

According Houthi-run "Saba" News Agency al-Shami said in a statement: "What was promoted by the so-called Information Minister in the government of Riyadh (in reference to the Yemeni government) about the targeting of their representatives in the joint committees for the truce in Hodeida by plane is The truth is irrelevant."

The spokesperson for the Houthi`s government said that what the Minister of Information of the legitimate government said "comes within the framework of disinformation and the attempt to repudiate the Stockholm agreement and coverage of their violations intensified and continuing, which exceeded two thousand and 459 violations since the declaration of the cease-fire." .

He claimed that "the rescue government is committed to the decision to cease fire in Hodeida despite the violations of the other party continued and reached the perimeter of the residence of the United Nations and the Joint Committees."

Al-Shami pointed out that these accusations may be "in preparation for criminal and suspicious actions consistent with the non-committed position of the cease-fire practically in Hodeida,".

He added: "Whoever dares in the areas controlled by the occupation to kill the prisoners and slaughter the detainees and carry out acts contrary to the morals and customs of the Yemeni people, it is not strange to be in love with a plot to seek the implementation of external ambitions that have no interest in political solutions in Yemen.

Yemen has been racked by an armed conflict that broke out after the Iran-backed Houthis had ousted the internationally recognized government late in 2014.

Al-Eryani said on Sunday its forces had foiled Houthi drone attack targeting legitimate representatives in the RCC in Hodeida.

The explosive-laden drone "was intercepted and donated before reaching the residence hosting RCC government team in Doraihimi [District of Hodeida] at 7:30 AM," he added.

"This perilous development comes one day after the terrorist attack on military parade in Anad Base," said Hadi minister without mentioning the exact date.

"Eryani considered the act as Houthi attempt "to thwart Sweden Agreement and abort efforts exerted by the UN and international community to settle crisis." It insists the "role played by Tehran regime in kindling conflict in Yemen and the region."

Parties to the nearly 4-year war in Yemen, after 8 days of peace talks in Sweden, agreed on 13 December to cease fire in Hodeida and withdraw all forces from the port city and ports of Hodeida, Salif and Ras Isa.

The pact, however, did not name who would control the Red Sea port city that is currently held by rebels, while thousands of government and Saudi-led coalition troops massed at outskirts.

Under the Agreement, two parties had to withdraw by the 7th of January, with international monitors and representatives from both sides deployed to oversee the pullout from the city that would be managed by "local authorities under UN supervision."

Last Thursday, Houthis attacked military parade in al-Anad Military Base in the southern governorate of Lahj with a bomb-laden drone, leaving five Yemeni troops killed and others injured, including Chief of Staff Abdullah al-Nakhie, his deputy Saleh al-Zyndani, Lahj Governor General Ahmed al-Turki and head of intelligence Mohammed Saleh Tamah who died of injuries on Sunday.

The conflict escalated after a Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in the country in March 2015 to reinstate the government of President Hadi, leaving tens of thousands killed, hundreds of thousands injured, and 3 million displaced.

The war has pushed the country to the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN, with more than two thirds of the 28-million population in need for a type of humanitarian aid and immediate protection, including 8.4 million people unsure how to get next meal, and some 2 million children suffering severe shortage of nutrition.